Cultivator.



PATENTED APR. 14, 1903.

J. B. BARTHOLOMEW.

CULTIVATOR.

APPLIUATION FILED APR. 15, 1902.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l No. 725,200. PATENTED APR. 14, 1903. J. B. BARTHOLOMEW.

GULTIVATOR.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 15, 1902.

No MODEL. 3 SHEETS-SHEET a.

Q N at x \l I: Q a X N 2 3 In as 0 Q w d l b H N Y): :I a o Q G x y M nc a No. 725,200. PATENTED APR 14, 1903.

J. B. BARTHOLOMEW.

GULTIVATOE.

APPLIOATI ON FILED APR.15, 1902.

NO MODEL. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 34 Jay/a ms NORRD: PETERS cu, wars-l mu: vwasamcnw, u c

UNITED ST 'rEs FFICE.

PATENT JOHN B. BARTHOLOMEW, OF PEORIA, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO AVERYMANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF PEORIA, ILLINOIS, A OORPORA TION OF ILLINOIS.

CU LTIVATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of LettersPatent No. 725,200, dated April 14,1903; Application filed April 15, 1902. Serial No. 103,027. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN B. BARTHOLOMEW, a citizen of the United States,residing at Peoria, in the county of Peoria and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Cultivators, of whichthe following is a specification, reference being had therein to theaccompanying drawings.

This invention relates to improvements in farm implements of the shovelclass-that is to say, those having one or more series of shovels orthose of each series being supported upon a beam or bar, which can beswung vertically or horizontally.

The object is to provide machines of this sort with devices of suchnature that the shovel bars or beams can be easilylifted from a workingposition to a carrying position, or vice versa,by devices by which alsothe beams or bars can be readily controlled when in or near the workinglines.

Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings is a side elevation of a portionof the shovel mechanism, showing myimprovements. Fig. 2 is a front viewof a part thereof. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the same. Figs. 4 and 5 aredetailed views showing the arm detached. Fig. 6 is a side View of amodified form of the machine. Fig. 7 is a front View. Fig. Sis a planview of the same. Fig. 9 is a side View of a cultivator embodying myinvention in the form shown in Figs. 6, 7, and 8. Figs. 10 and 11illustrate by a side View and a rear View, partly in section, anotherform of shovel-controllingmechanism embodying myinvention.

Referring to the drawings, A is the main frame of the cultivator or likeimplement; B, the tongue or draft device; 0, the plow-beam, (of whichthere may be any desired or practicable number,) having a coupling Dwith the spindle a, of the arch a of the main frame, whereby the beammay swing vertically and laterally, and E the wheels carried by the archa of the main frame. Though not necessary to the working of my inventionhereinafter described it is preferred that the wheels be longitudinallyadjustable by the swinging of the arch a actuated by the seatsupport Fand suitable connections, as described in my Patent No. 701,007, datedMay 27, 1902.

The coupling D comprises a sleeve or pipe box 1, adapted to turn on thespindle a and having a substantially vertical axis for the horizontalswinging of the beam. This axis is furnlished'by pins 2, pivotallyengaged by a yoke 3, attached to the forward end of the plow-beam.

For the eflicient operation of the machine it is desirable to provide aspring-lift to raise, or aid in raising, the plow-beam to inoperativeposition, and also a spring control for regulating the beam when in itsworking position to maintain the desired average depth of cul tivationunder various conditions. I am aware that devices of this generaldescription have been heretofore proposed, as in Letters Patent No.257,228 of E. P. Lynch, dated May 2, 1882, and in others; but it is theobject of my present invention by material improvements in theorganization and construction of the beam lifting and controllingdevices to render the machine much more efficient and convenient inoperation.

The beam is turned on its horizontal axis a, for lifting to inoperativeposition by means independent of the coupling D. Such means comprise anarm 4, mounted by a bearing 5 on the spindle 0.; a connection or link 6,pivoted to the beam at 7 at some distance from the coupling D and to aportion of the arm 4 at- 8; a second arm 9, connected with the frame bysuitable guiding means 10, such as an eye in Which the upper part of thearm mayslide; a knuckle-joint 11, connecting said arms 4 and 9, and aspring 12, acting between a part of the frame, such as said guidingmeans 10, and the arm 9, which has a shoulder 13 for the purpose to turnwith said arms and flex the joint at 11. This movement acts to draw theconnection 6 forward and lift the beam, but does not afiect the couplingD, except as the latter is operated by the beam. To allow the beam toturn freely in horizontal planes on the vertical axis through the pins2, unaffected by gravity and as little as possible by friction, the axisof the pivot at 8 is in line with said axis of the coupling at 2.

14c is the beam control-spring for acting on the beam when the latter isin Working position to cause an upward pressure on the same. Itisarranged to. act between a part connected I frame.

with the beam, such as an extension 15 of the arm 4, which is connectedwith the beam through the link 6, and a lever-like spring controllingdevice 16, constituting an abutment for the control-spring. This part 16is pivotally mounted on one of the arms 4 or 9, which is attained, ineffect, by giving the device 16a fulcrum on the pivot of the knuckle at11, as shown. The controlling device 16 is adjustable to vary thepressure and working efficiency of the spring 14 and has means forholding it in the desired position. Such means may be of variousdescriptions. To properly hold the part 16 when adjusted, it should havea connection with the main frame. In Fig. 1 it has an operating-handle17, adapted to be locked with the arm 9 by.

a toothed segment 18 and latch 19, its' connection with the frame beingthrough the media of the parts 9 and 10. In Fig. 6 the device 16 has ahandle or link 20 pivoted to it at 21 and engaging by notches 22 a pin23, the latter being fixed on a part of the main The devices 20 and 17are so situated as to enable the p essureof the beam controlspring 14 tobe adjusted from time to time by the user of the machine in hisoperating position while the plow is at work, thereby determining thedepth of cultivation.

Various means may be employed for bolding the control-spring in positionto become active when the plow-beam assumes its working position. Forthis purpose I have shown a guiding-bolt 24 passing down through thecoil of the spring 14 and loosely through an eye 25 in the extension 15.A nut 26 on the lower end of the bolt confines the latter and the springand serves by its adjustment on the bolt to determine the initial orminimum tension of the control spring. When the beam is lifted, the bolt24 and spring 14 separate from the abutment at 16, and the controlspringbecomes inactive. When the beam is in working position, the pressure ofthe spring 12 is in line with the joints at 10, 11, and a, and the forceof the lifting-spring is neutralized, and it becomes substantiallyinactive. The action of the control-spring overcoming that part of theweight of the beam which is 0therwise unsustained is to maintain thelifting-spring and its connections in its substantially neutralposition. When for any reason the rear part of the beam 0 tends to sinkdownward, the extension 15 is elevated through the parts 6 and 4, movingthe spring 14 upward. At the same time the accompanying backwardmovement of the joint 11 relative to the fastening device of theabutment 16 depresses the forward part or toe of the abutment to meetandcom pressthe spring. Such downward tendency of the beam is thus quicklyand yieldingly neutralized. A forward adjustment by the operator of thehandle 17 or 20 causes the beam to be sustained by the control-springsooner or at a higher point, and vice versa.

In Figs. 10 and 1] the arm 4 is independent of the coupling D, asalready described. The abutment or controlling device at 16 is, however,made rigid with the arm 9. It is manually controlled or limited by ahandle 20', engaging a pin 23 on the frame and having a slot 30, whichembraces an extension of the knuckle-pivot at 31. By adjusting thehandle 20 forward the rear end 32 of the slot becomes a stop to limitthe compression of the control-spring 14 and the depth to which theshovels will work. If the handle be adjusted rearward, the front end 33of the slot will act as a stop to limit the expansion of the spring 14and the working height to which the shovels will rise.

What I claim is-- k 1. In a cultivator, or similar implement, thecombination of the main frame, the plowbeam disposed to swingvertically, the liftingspring and the supplemental controlspring, botharranged to act upon the beam at the forward end thereof independentlyof the lateral swinging of the beam, and means for varying theefficiency of the control-spring when the beam is in working position,substantially as set forth.

2. In a cultivator or similar implement, the combination of the mainframe, the plowbeam coupled thereto to swing vertically, alifting-spring for raising the beam from working position, asupplemental control-spring acting on the beam at the forward endthereof independently of the beam-coupling to regulate the beam, andmanually-con trolled means for varying the efficiency of saidsupplemental spring while the beam is in working position.

3. The combination of the main frame, the plow-beam, a couplingconnecting the beam and frame whereby the beam may swing vertically, thecontrol-spring independent of said coupling and acting to regulate thebeam at the forward end thereof when the latter is in working position,and a manual spring-con trolling mechanism for varying the efficiency ofsaid spring while the beam is in working position.

4. In a cultivator or like implement, the combination of the main frame,the plowbeam, a coupling connecting the beam and frame whereby the beammay swing vertically, and a manually-controlled compressioncontrol-spring forward of the axis of said coupling and actingindependently of said coupling to regulate the beam in working position.

5. In a cultivator or like implement, the combination of the main frame,the plowbeam, a coupling connecting the beam and frame whereby the beammay swing vertically, and a manually-controlled compressioncontrol-spring acting independently of said coupling to regulate thebeam in working position and inactive when the beam is elevated, saidspring having means extending within reach of the normal position of theoperator for adjusting its operative tension.

6. In a cultivator or like implement, the combination of the mainframe,the plow- IIO beam, a coupling connecting the beam and framewhereby the beam may swing vertically,a control-spring for regulatingthe beam in working position, an abutment for said spring connected withthe frame, another abutment for said spring connected with the beamindependently of said coupling, and means for manually adjusting one ofsaid abutments while the beam is in working position to vary theefficiency of said spring.

7. In a cultivator or like implement, the combination of the main frame,the plowbeam, a coupling having substantially horizontal and verticalaxes connecting the beam and frame whereby the beam may swing verticallyand laterally, a lifting-spring, and a connection between the spring andbeam independent of said coupling, said connection having a verticalpivot in the line of the vertical axis of the coupling.

8. In a cultivator or like implement, the combination of the main frame,the plowbeam, a coupling having substantially horizontal and verticalaxes connecting the beam and frame whereby the beam may swing verticallyand laterally, a lifting-spring, a connection between the spring andbeam independent of said coupling, said connection having a verticalpivot in the line of the vertical axis of the coupling, and asupplemental control-spring acting to regulate the beam in workingposition.

9. In a cultivator or like implement, the combination of the main frame,the plowbeam, a coupling connecting the beam and frame whereby thebeam'may swing vertically, a control-spring acting at the forward end ofthe beam independently of said coupling to regulate the beam in workingposition and inactive when the beam is elevated, and a lever for varyingthe efficiency of said spring.

10. In a cultivator or like implement, the combination of the mainframe, the plowbeam, a coupling connecting the beam and frame wherebythe beam may swing vertically, a control-spring acting at the forwardend of the beam independently of said coupling to regulate the beam inworking position, an abutment for said spring and a lever for adjustingsaid abutment.

11. In a cultivator or like implement, the combination of the mainframe, the plowbeam having a pivoted connection with the frame wherebyit may swing vertically, an arm connected with the beam, a spring actingon said arm to cause an upward pressure on the beam, a second armpivotally connected with the first arm, means for holding said secondarm in desired position, and a control-spring acting between said secondarm and apart connected with the beam to cause an upward pressure on thebeam in working position.

12. In a cultivator or like implement, the combination of the mainframe, the plow- 'beam, a coupling connecting the beam and frame andhaving substantially horizontal and vertical axes whereby the beam mayswing vertically and laterally, an arm having a connection with the beamindependent of said coupling, and a spring exerting pressure on said armto cause an upward pressure on the beam, said connection having avertical pivot in line with the vertical axis of the coup ling.

13. In a cultivator or like implement, the combination of the mainframe, the plowbeam, a coupling connecting the beam and frame wherebythe beam may swing vertically, an arm swinging with the beam, a springcontrolling device connected with said arm and with the frame, and abeam controlspring acting between said device and. a part connected withthe beam to regulate the beam in working position, and means for holdingsaid device in desired position.

14:- In a cultivator or like implement, the combination of the mainframe, the plowbeam, a coupling connecting the beam and frame wherebythe beam may swing vertically thereon, a control-spring acting toregulate the beam in working position, a leverlike spring controllingdevice having a fulcrum near said coupling and independent thereof andadapted to vary the efficiency of said spring, and means whereby saidspring controlling device has a locking connection with the frame tohold the former in desired position.

15. In a cultivator or like implement, the combination of the mainframe, the plowbeam pivotally coupled therewith, an arm independent ofthe beam-coupling swinging with the beam, a second arm connected withthe frame and having a knuckle-joint with said swinging arm, alever-like spring-controlling device pivoted on one of said arms, and acontrol-spring acting between said lever-like device and a partconnected with the beam to regulate the latter in working position.

16. The combination of the main frame, the plow-beam pivotally coupledtherewith, an arm swinging with the beam, a second arm connected withthe frame and having a knuckle-joint with said swinging arm, alever-like spring controlling device pivoted on one of said arms, acontrol-spring acting between said lever-like device and a partconnected with the beam to regulate the latter in working position, andmeans for locking said lever-like device in desired position with thearm on which it is mounted.

17. The combination with the beam, of the arm 4, the connection 6, thearm 9, the abutment 16 pivotally supported at 11, the control-springacting between the abutment and a part connected with the beam, andmeans for adjusting the abutment.

18. In a cultivator or like implement, the

combination of the main frame, the plow efficiency of the spring-powerwhich controls IO the working position of the beam.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN B. BARTHOLOMEW.

Vitnesses:

ELVAN M. VOORHEES, ALBERT L. GREGORY.

